Good Italian in the U Street Area

Early Thursday evening I made plans with Shrek to meet him at Al Crostino (http://www.alcrostino.com/) on U between 13th and 14th for dinner. I glanced at the menu and it looked very interesting with tons of vegetarian items I wanted to try. I debated whether to go in but decided to quickly check out the menu of Creme next door, another new place in the U street area. Creme, a wine bar with low seats and a bar area seemed to be thriving and looked quite interesting. I made a mental note to go back for brunch at least, if not to meet up with friends. It so happened the chef of Al Crostino, a nice Italian man was standing outside and could see my dilemma. He charmed me into giving him a chance, assuring him that I would be pleased inside. He then escorted me to the bar where he asked the bar tender to entertain me so I would return! The flavoured martini list looked delicious but I just drank water to rehydrate myself after my gym work out and walk while I chatted with the young Italian bartender. He told me business had been good especially on weekends. Apparently all the restaurants in the area were doing well. There were three partners including Luigi Diotaiuti who still owns Al Tiramisu along with two brothers one who was a chef and the other the manager who had persuaded me to give him a chance.

When Shrek did arrive we were escorted upstairs where there were additional tables including one long table in the middle set up to seat 10 people (a good thing if you have a large group). We got some delicious red wine. We shared the Buffalo mozzarella and roasted redpeppers ($6.5) which was was the softest cheese and simply melted in ones mouth. For our entrees Shrek was pleased with his chicken breast, milanese style ($12.50) although we agreed that my spinach and ricotta gnocchi in the gorgonzola cream sauce ($12) was a far better choice. Since the gnocchi was not made with potato, it was much lighter. All in all a dinner for two would cost $60 which is quite reasonable for the meal.

Thriving Logan Circle Restaurants

Last Thursday we wanted to go out to a nice fancy dinner. So rather than a restaurant in downtown DC, we picked Logan Circle. I wanted to check out the new P Street Bistro. I had walked by that week and the Black Bean ravioli platter had called out to me. Some of the other dishes on the menu looked interesting too. On doing some research I learnt that the place was started by Chef Robert Alexander, who has catered White House parties and cooked at the Willard Hotel and Kennedy Center. It was bound to be good food. I liked that he had little plates as well as bigger entrees and more affordably priced sandwiches and burgers. The place was obviously so new that the banner was a plastic banner and the menu on display was simply stuck to the window. I peaked inside and it looked cozy with a small bar and a few tables. But at 7:30 when we were supposed to go inside to eat, it was empty but for one table. Logan Tavern (http://www.logantavern.com/) next door was bustling and seemed much more exciting. We decided to go there inside but the hostess was only able to offer us a place at the group table. That didn’t quite fit with our idea of a romantic evening and so we walked over to Merkado. It was crowded enough to make it look interesting but yet there was room for us.

At Merkado (http://www.merkadodc.com) the guests seemed to be a mix of locals and people who had come in from other parts of the district. There were some diners who were there on business, while others were dressed to party with friends. Our waiter Jeremy was very patient as I debated on what to order. He recommended the cranberry mojito which was delicious and looked very Christmassy with the bright red cranberries and the green mint. We were ravenous and so the huge torilla chips and delicious salsa kept us going while we waited for our food. Shrek got the seared salmon in miso with shrimp and Dashi (Japanese Risotto) for $17.50 which he claimed was delicious. I was undecided so I got the Sweet Potato soup which was very satisfying. I proceeded to get more starchy items for I absolutely had to taste the Wasabi Mashed Potatoes which was perfect (at least I had gone to the gym before my dinner) and the fried plantains. In the end I had way too much food but that way I had leftovers for my lunch the next day. We had no room for dessert otherwise I would have concluded the dinner with the bittersweet liquid chocolate cake w/ coconut cream that I had been eyeing. Shrek was pleased with the decaf cappuccino but wished it wasn’t 9 pm so he could have had the regular cappuccino. The dinner bill came to $50 with tip—not bad for a delicious meal and a hip and happening restaurant. I suspect it might have been a bit more if we had got dessert and I had got my own drink.

In the middle of dinner we looked around and the place was bustling with people. There were throngs of trendy hip young people waiting for a table around the bar and by the door. We were lucky to have picked an early time to dine. As we walked by P Street Bistro, it was still not packed but there were a few tables full with spill over diners from the other two restaurants. I suspect in a few months it will do relatively well due to its great location.